CVE-2002-2041 in RTOS
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in realtime operating system (RTOS) 6.1.0 allows local users to execute arbitrary code via (1) a long ABLANG environment variable in phlocale or (2) a long -u option to pkg-installer.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/30/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-2041 represents a critical security flaw affecting realtime operating system versions 6.1.0, specifically targeting buffer overflow conditions that can be exploited by local users to achieve arbitrary code execution. This vulnerability demonstrates the persistent challenges in embedded systems security where buffer overflows remain a prevalent attack vector despite decades of awareness and mitigation efforts. The flaw exists within the system's handling of environment variables and command line arguments, highlighting the importance of proper input validation in system-level components that often operate with elevated privileges and direct hardware access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through two distinct attack vectors that exploit different components of the RTOS ecosystem. The first vector involves manipulation of the ABLANG environment variable within the phlocale component, where a sufficiently long string input causes a buffer overflow that can overwrite adjacent memory locations. This particular flaw aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of how environment variable handling can become a security risk when proper bounds checking is omitted. The second vulnerability occurs during execution of the pkg-installer utility with an excessively long -u option parameter, demonstrating how command line argument parsing can introduce similar memory corruption issues.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as local users with minimal privileges can potentially escalate their access within the system. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in realtime operating systems where predictable behavior and security are paramount for mission-critical applications. The exploitation of these buffer overflows could lead to system instability, unauthorized access to sensitive data, or complete system compromise depending on the execution context and privileges available to the attacking user. The attack requires local system access but does not necessitate network connectivity, making it particularly dangerous in environments where physical access control is insufficient.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-2041 should focus on immediate patching of the affected RTOS version 6.1.0, as well as implementing comprehensive input validation measures throughout the system's components. System administrators should conduct thorough audits of environment variable handling and command line argument parsing within all system utilities, ensuring that proper bounds checking and memory management practices are implemented. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter indicates that exploitation could involve shell command injection, making it essential to implement robust input sanitization and privilege separation mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime protections such as stack canaries and address space layout randomization to make exploitation more difficult even if similar vulnerabilities exist in other system components.